Jalandhar roots shine in UK: Preet Gill appointed junior health minister, Kulwinder Johal becomes first turbaned Mayor
PTC News Desk: In a significant cabinet reshuffle in the UK, Jalandhar-based Preet Kaur Gill has been appointed Junior Health Minister, while Kulwinder Singh Johal has become the first turbaned Lord Mayor of Leicester.
Kulvinder Singh Johal, who was born in Phillaur in Punjab’s Jalandhar district, has become the first turbaned Lord Mayor of Leicester. He took oath a day earlier and was officially presented with the Chain of Office during a ceremony held at Leicester Town Hall.
The appointments hold significant revarance and being seen as expanding Punjabi representation in British public life highlighting their growing influence in politics and civic leadership.
Preet Kaur Gill, whose roots trace back to Jamshher village in Jalandhar district, has been appointed Junior Minister in the UK Health Department. She began her political career at the local level after being elected as a councillor in 2012 on a Labour Party ticket. She served as a councillor in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, where she also held the role of Cabinet Member for Public Health and Protection.
In the June 2017 general election, Gill was elected as Member of Parliament from Birmingham Edgbaston on a Labour Party ticket for the first time. With this victory, she became the first female British Sikh MP in UK history. She was re-elected with a strong mandate in both the 2019 and 2024 general elections.
- PTC NEWS
